Hands up if you want to see more mixed relays!
![Hands up if you want to see more mixed relays!](https://triathlon-images.imgix.net/news_thumbs/picrelays1.jpg?w=900&h=506&auto=format&fit=fill&fill=blur)
The Triathlon Mixed Relays is one of the most thrilling spectacles in triathlon, and for all the triathletes and fans around the world, we have a great calendar ahead full of relay action! Be prepared for a summer of “tagging” as the Mixed Relays are trending now more than ever.
First stop for Mixed Relays’ lovers will be in just two weeks when the best teams across Europe will gather in Kitzbuhel (Austria) in aim of the European Champion title. Teams from Spain, Great Britain and France, among others, will try to claim the Old Continent crown, with some of the best triathletes in Europe prepared to battle it out on the fast and furious course in the hills of the Austrian city.
For the non European teams, the goal is set in the German city of Hamburg, which will host the World Championships on July 17. With thousands of spectators lining the streets to cheer for their favorite athletes, Hamburg has become the perfect set up for the Relays, hosting this event for the past four years. This event is always a fan and athlete favourite race of the year, so get excited for some riveting action coming your way!
And if triathletes want some more mixed relays action, the British Federation has organized the Mixed Relay Cup, with the first race to take place in Nottingham on September 2. It is expected to be a perfect set up not only for quite a few Brit teams aiming for the title, but also for some other teams willing to prove themselves that they can think big and, why not, aim for the Olympics.
The Mixed Relays is one of the most thrilling events in triathlon, with teams of two men and two women completing each a short-course triathlon (300m swim, 8km bike, 2km run) before tagging off to their teammate to take over. With its rapid and unpredictable format, athletes love it and spectators enjoy it both onsite and on television, making it one of the most spectacular formats of the circuit.
This sport is so engaging that in fact the International Triathlon Union (ITU) has presented a formal bid to the IOC for the Mixed Relays to be included in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics programme. While waiting for the decision, athletes from around the world have widely shown their support to this format, which is not only exciting, but will also mean that athletes will have another chance of winning an Olympic medal.
With no extra athletes needed to be added to the Olympics programme, and lots of extra excitement ensured, the Mixed Relays are also backed by triathlon fans and event organizers around the world.
So as we the triathlon community awaits the decision from the IOC to see if this sport will officially become a part of Olympic history, we continue to ask for your support and to keep your “hand’s up” if you want to see #TeamMixedRelays in Toyko2020!
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